Back in July, I received a diagnosis that completely changed my life: heart failure, with a reduced ejection fraction of 40%. I’m only 35.
It was caused by myocarditis, a complication that developed after I had strep throat in April. Since then, I’ve started life-long medications and entered cardiac rehab to rebuild my strength—one step, one heartbeat at a time.
I’m incredibly grateful to the amazing providers at Indiana University Health for their care, compassion, and diligence throughout this journey. And I’m especially thankful for the American Heart Association, whose research and resources have helped guide patients like me toward hope and healing.
9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. But we can change this.
Cardiac arrests happen at work, in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death.
It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Together, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers.
I Walk to Save Lives. Help me reach my goal today.
